Humane Society International applauds the European Commission's landmark decision today to ban barren battery cages as scheduled. The highly significant move for animal welfare shows the intensive farming lobby that public opinion matters.

The European Commission rejected calls by industry lobby groups to delay the ban and instead responded to the wishes of European Union citizens. Some EU member states and some egg industry officials fought for postponement of the ban. Adopted in 1999, The European Union Laying Hens Directive prohibits the use of conventional battery cages beginning 1st January 2012.

"The confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages is among the most cruel and inhumane practices in the world of factory farming. It's heartening to see the European Commission rejecting calls for a postponement of the 2012 ban. Congratulations to the European citizens and animal advocacy groups who have supported the 2012 ban," said Wayne Pacelle, The Humane Society of the United States' President and CEO.

The European Commission's surveys confirm that the majority of EU citizens are willing to "pay more for eggs from a system that is animal welfare friendly" and that they would be "willing to change their usual place of shopping" in order to buy animal welfare friendly products. The LayWel scientific research project, co-financed by the EU, confirmed that barren battery cages are fundamentally problematic for animal welfare.

In the 27 member countries of the EU, more than 200 million hens are confined in battery cages -- tiny pens that constrict their wings and movement. The animals live out their lives in noisy and cramped conditions and never lay eggs in nests. While the 2012 ban will still allow so-called "enriched cages" to be used, it is an important step toward a total ban of cages for laying hens.

In the United Kingdom, supermarket chains Marks and Spencer and Waitrose have already stopped selling eggs from caged hens, and Sainsbury, Morrisons and the Co-op have also announced plans to phase out the sale of battery eggs. In the U.S., major food retailers such as Wolfgang Puck, Burger King and Ben & Jerry's have also all made important movement in the direction of cage-free eggs.

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Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world's largest animal protection organizations — backed by 11 million people. For nearly 20 years, HSI has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide — On the Web at hsi.org

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